| Nanjing Union Theological Seminary -- New Campus
February 2, 2006
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China Christianity is growing rapidly in China. There are currently 30 million Christians in China. Every day six new church buildings are opened. In China, Christians gather in more than 14,000 churches and 30,000 home meetings for worship, prayer, and Bible study.
Because of the closing of seminaries during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s and 70s, there are only a bit over 2000 ordained ministers for 50,000 churches. The shortage of pastors is a serious problem for the church in China. Global Ministries has long supported theological education and renewal in China and it is a major priority now for the work in China.
Located on a back lane in the bustling Xinjiekou District of the city center of Nanjing is a quiet almost hidden “oasis” -- the current campus of Nanjing Union Theological Seminary. This is the temporary home to nearly two hundred students preparing for leadership and teaching for the Chinese Protestant Church. Nanjing Union Theological Seminary is the national seminary of the Church in China, established on November 2, 1952, by the Chinese Three-Self Movement Committee (TSPM) in the cultural and historic city of Nanjing.
Nanjing Union Theological Seminary has, since its beginning, focused on training pastoral workers, teachers, and researchers who love both their country and their church. The seminary also holds to the Chinese Three-Self Principles of Self-Administration, Self-Support, and Self-Propagation as guiding principles for churches. In order to promote overall development of the students in both spirit and theological knowledge, the Seminary emphasizes "spirit, virtue, knowledge, health, and community."
Nanjing Seminary students come from almost every part of China: from Sichuan, Gansu, Yunnan, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia in the far west to the populous provinces of the east coast; from Dongbei in the north to Guangdong and Yunnan in the south. Many of the students come to Nanjing after study at one of China’s 18 other provincial or regional Seminaries and Bible Schools. All have been active in the church. Entry into the Seminary is very competitive. Students must pass a challenging examination and be recommended by their local and provincial church authorities.
Currently, among the 210 registered students, there are 180 full-time students living on campus. There are about 96 female students and 84 male students. The average age of the full-time students is 26. There is no tuition for full-time students and there is no charge for accommodation on campus. The seminary provides basic medical insurance. The needy students can get financial support by working part-time on campus or applying for scholarships.
The journey of the seminary over the past 50 years is closely related to the life of Chinese churches and society. With the better implementation of Chinese Religious Policy and the fast growth of Chinese Christianity, Chinese theological education is facing great challenges. Stepping into the new century, Nanjing Seminary is acting boldly to face this challenge. Under the support of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) and the China Christian Council (CCC), ground was broken on January 17, 2005, for a brand new campus in Jiangning District. This project is the first of its kind to be approved and financially supported by the central government, which aims to improve the physical facilities and institutions in China.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the magnificent new campus was witnessed by nearly 500 participants. Those in attendance included distinguished guests from partner churches and organizations at home and abroad. Congratulations were offered by guests from the United States, Canada, Singapore, South Korea, and other nations. There were friends from Hong Kong, and Macao and representatives from other Chinese seminaries and Bible schools. Presbyter Ji Jianhong, Chairperson of the National TSPM and Reverend Cao Shengjie, President of CCC, attended the ceremony along with former well-known church leaders, Luo Guanzong and Dr. Han Wenzao. Bishop K.H. Ting, Vice Chairperson of the National CPPCC (people’s congress) and President of Nanjing Union Theological Seminary offered a speech that eloquently spoke of the seminary's devotion to training more highly qualified workers for the Chinese church who are able to resonate with and respond to China's changing society.
The total area of the new campus, expected to be completed in two to three years, is about 201 mu (approximately 33.5 acres or 124,067 square meters). Buildings will take up 31,000 square meters with the aim of accommodating 500 students. The current design for the new campus includes: Worship Area (the campus church), Teaching and Administrative Area, a Sports Ground, Student Residence Area, and Front Garden Area. The architectural design will pay attention to the distinctiveness of Chinese Christianity as well as multi-functional requirements of modern higher education. It will attempt to embody the progress of Chinese society and Chinese Christian Three-Self principles.
Plans for the campus church incorporate architectural language to express the Protestant Christian spirit in the Chinese context, with emphasis on openness and artistic sensitivity. The overall area of the seminary church is 5,769 square meters, and its layout is that of a typical Chinese house yard. The church building is multi-functional and will be used for worship, art exhibitions, and music appreciation. The design incorporates biblical motifs such as “Noah's Ark” and the “Peaceful Gospel.”
The library (6,063 square meters) consists of five stories, including a basement and is divided into two wings. The first floor of the east wing features a checkout and catalog area, book stacks, and offices. On the second floor there is a multi-function hall and reading room. The third floor has an archive and reading room, and the fourth floor has a language-teaching classroom, and computer room and a reading room. The west wing is comprised of halls, conference rooms, offices, additional book stacks, and special collections. Outer construction is of a traditional style that utilizes gray stone and slate roof to compliment the simple and natural ambiance of the seminary.
The main teaching building (4,596 square meters) will be in the north part of the campus, adjacent to the library and open to the living area and sports area. The interior contains classrooms, a teachers’ lounge, a chapel for about 500 people, a devotional room, and Internet service room and an audio-video media room. The administrative building (1,8242 square meters) is east of the main entrance and near a courtyard where visitors can enjoy views of the many pine trees that populate the seminary grounds.
In the words of Raymond Whitehead a long-time volunteer teacher at the seminary, “The biggest distinction from foreign seminaries is that our seminary is shaped by Chinese history and culture, as well as the history and experience of Christianity. This is also the biggest challenge.” The new, expanded seminary campus will be key to helping Nanjing Union Theological Seminary embrace the many challenges it faces in the coming century.
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